Unfortunately due to scheduling conflicts, there won't be "This Week on IMPACT" from this past week. The column should return this week. I will be touching on a few aspects of the show in the first "Mind of Talon" column in 2016.

* The match and post-match stuff between Matt Hardy and EC3 is arguably one of the best handled things TNA has ever done. The Last Man Standing match told an effective story in turning Matt Hardy into the villain while also gaining sympathy for EC3. Between Reby Hardy's unlike-ability and Matt's mannerisms, it did an excellent job with the double turn. I felt for EC3 as Tyrus turned on him. He was clearly the superior athlete, defeating Matt Hardy cleanly numerous times in the past year. The story is that Matt knew he couldn't beat EC3 and did everything possible, including paying off Tyrus to get the job done.

The story started was teased last week and developed through the night. When Jeff Hardy came out at the beginning of the show and said he had a bad feeling about the main event, followed by Tyrus attacking his leg in their match and then Matt and Reby encouraging Jeff to go to the hospital as a way to prevent him from interfering in their plans was all well handled. The two little moments that sealed the deal were when Matt Hardy said "EC3, I won!" and when Reby spit on an unconscious EC3.

Matt did not pin or submit EC3 but he did beat him. My guess is EC3 takes a while off and then returns for revenge. It could be in time for Lockdown with an opportunity to lock both inside Six Sides of Steel. Until then, TNA can tell a story between Matt and Jeff. My guess is Jeff doesn't by into this behavior so that will be at the forefront this week.

* I also liked how they handled the Kurt Angle/Lashley face-off. Kurt's final three opponents will be Drew Galloway, Bobby Roode and Lashley in the UK. While its unfortunate that we probably won't be getting Angle vs Davey or Angle vs Eddie in singles matches, I look forward to the three advertised matches we will be getting. Lashley did a good job in his promo. His loss to Angle last year has been eating away at him costing him matches. Lashley really took a hit after his feud with Kurt so hopefully him regaining an edge by eliminating Kurt is a possibility.

I'm still uncertain about Raquel adding to his act but I will take a wait and see approach instead of judging it this early.

* I loved Crazzy Steve's new "Heath Ledger" look. It appears he will be teaming with Abyss and Rosemary (yet to debut) as a team called The Decay. The gave off a creepy vibe in their segment. The Decay is just another addition to the tag team division which has gotten quite the boost in 2016. They will likely feud with the Wolves while Beer Money is busy with EY/Bram. They are doing a good job holding off the eventual Beer Money vs Wolves feud.

*This week we will be getting the return of Feast or Fired. There are some likely candidates of who gets what briefcase. I could see Drew Galloway with the World case, a member of Beer Money, EY/Bram or Jessie/Eli with the tag title case, almost anyone with a KOTM case. The most likely person to get the Fired case is probably Chris Melendez.

It really shows your standing with the company on whether you are a featured member of the IMPACT shows. For example, Chris Melendez wasn't on the Bethlehem IMPACT Tapings and won't be on the UK Tour. Robbie E is another one. Spud and Shera look to be part of the UK Tour so their status rises. As we saw with Manik, these are usually a sign of things to come.

*There's a lot of discussion regarding the story with AJ Styles, Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows. It would have been awesome to see all three back with TNA and would have made a nice positive impact. This "he said, she said story" comes down to what the three signed. If they signed an actual contract, they would be legally obligated to work for TNA, if they didn't, this is a non-story. For some reason I am getting a letter of intent type of idea which means it really isn't legally binding. Its a shitty situation for TNA and I don't blame them for putting the story out there.

I like to focus on what we have. My guess is that because of things falling through, we ended up with the Beer Money reunion. I'm very happy about this. There are plenty of things I want to happen but don't happen. Let's move on.

* Austin Aries has signed with NXT. This is bittersweet to me. As a TNA fan, I wanted Aries back with TNA. The company invested a lot into him and he was one of the bigger names from TNA the past few years. Now he is gone to WWE. I am happy for Aries for reaching a goal of his. There is something to be said especially if things work out for him and he moves on from NXT and is treated well. TNA has become an ROH of sorts as their alumni are starting to make an impact in WWE. WWE won't acknowledge it but TNA fans know the truth.

* There is a possibility that Kurt Angle may actually stick around with TNA after his farewell tour. I guess a backstage role (trainer, coach) is being discussed. I'm hoping that if Kurt Angle wrestles again for TNA, it is a rare occasion with plenty of time between that and his farewell tour. The farewell tour is something being done well and you don't want to water down the importance of it by bringing Kurt back too soon or too often.

My guess though is that Kurt will work something out with WWE. We get so excited for a possibility and the WWE cuts the legs out from under it.

* Its an exciting week for me as a fan. On Tuesday, IMPACT returns with Feast or Fired. On Wednesday, its the return of Lucha Underground. On top of that, the UK Tour happens starting this Friday. Focus on the positive fans as there is a lot to be happy for.